On Sunday, October 9th, during our 8:30 worship service, the debut of a new, original song, “Breathe Deep,” written by Trudy Hoy (lyrics) and Terry Shaw (music) was performed by our Chancel Choir. What an amazing gift! Thank you Trudy and Terry for putting a beautiful song in our hearts! (Soloists were Dave E. and…
A Place of Grace
Worship (Page 38)
This Sunday’s gospel talks about Faith being the size of a mustard seed. In the gospel, the apostles say to the Lord increase our Faith. Help us to be better. Pastor Eric said the key to a sermon is to ask: So what? Now what? Everything we do is Faith formation as we are building…
Born into the family of a wealthy merchant, Francis gave up his inheritance to serve poor people. He formed the Order of Friars Minor (called Franciscans), who took on poverty and the task of preaching “using words if necessary.” Francis had a spirit of gratitude for all of God’s creation. We celebrated St. Francis and…
Today we hear the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the gospel. This is the only parable where someone is given a name. The rich man didn’t pay attention to Lazarus. He was indifferent to him. The truth is, we pass Lazarus every day. How are we going to respond? We need to…
Pastor Eric had preached the night before at the prison in Shelton and he asked that congregation if it was easier to love in prison or outside of prison. He asked us the same question but in reverse. It was a trick question because you can love anywhere. God’s love for us changes us and…
On Sunday, August 14th, Amanda W was baptized and welcomed into the family of God! Amanda was surrounded by her sponsors who promised to nurture her in her faith: Boyfriend, Matt B; Bob and Diane M; Don and Karen G. Other members of St. Mark joined in the celebration and stood with Amanda in Christian…
Luke 13:10-17 tells the story of Jesus, on the Sabbath, healing a woman who had been bent over for eighteen years. She has no other name other than ‘bent over woman’. Jesus is preaching in the synagogue to the men, all seated in the front, and the women, all seated in the back, but he…
The Gospel reading for the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Luke 12, 49-56, cites fire, water, and division. Fire signifies warmth and gathering; Jesus laments that he wishes the fire “was already kindled” on earth, that his people were already a community of God. Jesus speaking about water reminds us that in baptism, the spirit washes…
Arthur Wesley K became the newest kid in our St. Mark family on 7/24/16. Wearing a beautiful family baptismal gown, Arthur was presented for the sacrament of Holy Baptism by his parents, Joe and Rachel K, and sponsors Brock and Bethany C. Our Father has called Arthur by name, and he is forever a “blessed…
In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus lovingly answers Martha’s concern about her sister Mary. We too have concerns especially after a week or so of truly troubling news. In our county, there have been shootings, killings, the deaths in Nice, France and the political unrest in Turkey. What is going on? Is this violence happening more or…